---
title: "Manage Document Definitions"
slug: "manage-document-definitions"
updated: 2024-12-13T13:47:16Z
published: 2024-12-13T13:47:16Z
canonical: "kb.lasernetgroup.com/manage-document-definitions"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.lasernetgroup.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manage Document Definitions

Document Definitions define the metadata associated with the files being archived. Document metadata is a set of Key Definitions that are bound to the document definition. Key Definitions define the data type (string, number or date) of the value to be stored and are searchable.

## Add a New Document Definition

Perform the following actions to create a new document definition:

1. From the Administration screen, click **Document Definition Manager**.
2. Click the **+ New Document Definition** button.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/DocDefBasicDetails.png)
3. Under **Label**, enter a unique label for the document definition you created.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> - The label must be in UTF-8 character encoding.
> - It may be written in the user’s language.
4. Under **Name**, you can choose to enter a custom name or accept the auto-generated one.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> - The name must only contain lowercase alpha-numeric characters and hyphens, without spaces.
> - The label must be in UTF-8 character encoding.
> - It is recommended to write the name in English.
5. Optionally, enter a filename under **Filename**. Filenames are used when emailing or downloading imported documents that use document definitions.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> - Use the mentioned tokens to add the id, name or key definition to the file name.
> - File extensions are automatically added to the end of the filename.
6. Click **Create** to add your new document definition.

The Document Keys section opens by default. From here, you can choose whether to configure further or return to the **Document Definition Manager** module landing page to view and act on the document definition that you created.

## Edit an Existing Document Definition

It is possible to edit document definitions that you created previously using the **Document Definition Manager**. Perform the following actions to edit a document definition:

1. On the **Document Definition - Selection page**, select the document definition you wish to modify.

The **Document Definition - Basic Details** page for the selected document definition is displayed. From here, you can edit:

- The Label

- The Name

- The Filename

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> Refer to steps 3 to 5 in [Add a New Document Definition](/v1/docs/manage-document-definitions#add-a-new-document-definition) for additional guidelines.
2. Click **Save**.

A system message will display that your document definition has been updated successfully.

## Create and Bind a new Key Definition

It is possible to create and bind a new key definition from within the Document Definition Manager. Perform the following actions to do so:

1. Select a document definition.
2. Click on the **Document Keys** tab on the left panel.
3. Click the **+ New Key Definition** button.

The **Create New Key Definition** dialog box appears.

![CreateNewKeyDefinition](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/CreateNewKeyDefinition.png)
4. Select a data type and cardinality.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> Data types can be string, number or date. Cardinality can either be single or multiple, meaning there can be multiple values for a key on a single document.
5. Enter a label and a name.
6. Click **Create**.
7. Click **Save**.

The key is created and bound to the document.

## Delete an Existing Document Definition

To delete an existing document definition, perform the following actions:

1. Navigate to the **Document Definition - Selection** page.
2. Select the document definition you wish to delete.
3. Click the **x Delete** button.
4. On the **Confirm Deletion** dialog box, click **Yes**.

On the **Document Definition—Selection** page, an information message confirms that the selected document definition has been deleted and will no longer be displayed in the list of document definitions.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> - Document Definition deletion that causes data loss is only available if licensed. You can delete a document definition you created previously.
> - After creating a document definition you may have key definitions bound to the document definition. When importing documents into the system they will have values set against the keys bound to the document definition.

> [!WARNING]
> Warning
> 
> When you delete a document definition all documents associated with that document definition are deleted, including historic versions of documents. As a precaution, there is a limit to the number of
> 
> documents that can be deleted when removing a document definition. See [Document Definition in use by multiple Documents](/v1/docs/manage-document-definitions#document-definition-in-use-by-multiple-documents) for more information.

### You cannot delete a document definition in the following situations:

- When a document search or import application uses a document definition
- If too many documents use a particular document definition

#### **Document Definition in Use by Applications**

If a document definition is in use by a document search or an import application, then you will not be able to delete it until you have removed the document definition from the application.

When you try to delete a document definition, a dialog box with the following message appears: “Document definition in use by applications”. It also details which applications use the document definition you wish to delete.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/DocDefInUse.png)

To delete the document definition anyway, perform the following tasks:

1. Click **OK** to exit the dialog box.
2. Navigate to the Application Manager to act on the applications that use the document definition you want to delete.
3. Unbind the document definition from the applications you have selected.
4. Follow steps 1 - 4 in [Delete an Existing Document Definition](/v1/docs/manage-document-definitions#delete-an-existing-document-definition).

On the **Document Definition—Selection** page, an information message confirms that the selected document definition has been deleted and will no longer be displayed in the list of document definitions.

#### Document Definition in use by Multiple Documents

When deleting a Document Definition, the maximum number of documents that can be deleted is limited. On a new system, the maximum number is set to 5,000 by default.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/ErrorDocDefIsUsedByToManyDocuments.png)

If deleting a document definition erases more than the maximum number of documents allowed by the system, a “Document definition is used by too many documents” dialog box is displayed.

If you need to change the maximum number of documents that can be deleted, contact Formpipe Support via the [**Create Ticket**](https://support.formpipe.com/new-ticket) button in the support portal.

> [!WARNING]
> Warning
> 
> Deleting a Document Definition is particularly useful when setting up or testing a system and there are only a few unwanted documents associated with the Document Definition. However, if a system has been in operation for an extended period and has accumulated many imported documents, deleting a Document Definition may result in the deletion of more documents than anticipated. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution when using this function.
> 
> It is recommended to revert to a lower maximum document deletion limit to prevent accidental deletion of a large number of documents later on.

### Document Deletion and Data Loss

When a document definition is deleted, all associated documents, including older versions, are also deleted. In such instances, a dialog box with a warning message is displayed. It also displays the number of current and historical documents that will be removed if the selected document definition is deleted.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/ErrorDocDefInUseAndNoLicenseToDestroyData.png)

To delete a document definition despite the data loss warning, perform the following actions:

1. Enter the name of the document definition as indicated in the dialog box.
2. Click **Confirm**.

You will be redirected to the **Document Definition - Selection** screen.

A confirmation message is displayed at the top of the screen once the selected document definition has been deleted. Your document definition will no longer be in the list of document definitions.

## Extended Properties

By default, document definitions only consist of a name and a label. Sometimes, customers need additional metadata on their document types, for example, a document category or a security level. By creating extended properties, each document definition has an extra field. The feature also allows customers to write integrations.

### Create an Extended Property

It is possible to create extended properties for a document definition. To do so, perform the following actions:

1. Open the **Document Definition Manager** and click the **Extended Properties** tab.
2. Click on **+ New Extended Property**.

The **Extended Property - Basic Details** page is displayed.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/ExtendedProperties(1).png)
3. Enter a **Label** for the property.

The **Name** is auto-generated. Optionally, this name can be modified.
4. Click **Create**.
5. Click **Back to Selection** to view the new extended property you have created.

#### Define the Value of an Extended Property

It is possible to define a value for an extended property. To do so, perform the following actions:

1. From the **Document Definition - Selection** page, select a document definition.
2. Click on the **Extended Properties** tab.
3. Select the extended property you wish to modify.

The property is displayed.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/ExtendedPropertiesValue.png)
4. Enter a value and click **Save**.

### Delete an Extended Property

It is possible to remove extended properties for document definitions. To do so, perform the following actions:

1. From the **Document Definition - Selection** page, click on the **Extended Properties** tab.
2. Select the extended property you wish to remove.
3. Click **Delete**.

A confirmation dialog box is displayed.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/ExtPropDeletionConfirmation.png)
4. Click **Yes** to confirm deletion.

If the extended property you wish to delete is being used, another confirmation dialog box is displayed.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/ExtPropDeletionConfirmation2.png)
5. Enter the name of the property, and click **Confirm**.

You are returned to the list of extended properties.